Depression is a common mental health condition that affects many middle-aged women. It can manifest as persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and various physical and emotional challenges. In this blog, we will explore how a functional medicine approach can help address depression through personalized strategies and by addressing underlying causes.

Understanding Depression

Depression is more than just feeling sad. It is a complex condition that can impact various aspects of life, including:

• Mood and emotions
• Physical health
• Cognitive function
• Social interactions

Common Causes of Depression

1. Hormonal Imbalances: Fluctuations in hormones, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, can contribute to depression.
2. Nutrient Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids can affect mood and brain function.
3. Chronic Stress: Ongoing stress can lead to hormonal imbalances and affect mental health.
4. Gut Health: Poor gut health...

Hot flashes are a common symptom experienced by many middle-aged women, particularly during the transition to menopause. Characterized by sudden feelings of warmth, sweating, and discomfort, hot flashes can significantly impact daily life and quality of sleep. In this blog, we will explore how a functional medicine approach can help manage hot flashes through personalized strategies and addressing underlying causes.

Understanding Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are sudden sensations of heat that typically affect the face, neck, and chest. They can vary in frequency and intensity and are often accompanied by sweating and sometimes chills. Hot flashes are primarily caused by hormonal fluctuations, particularly the decline in estrogen levels during menopause.

Common Triggers of Hot Flashes

1. Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause are the primary cause of hot flashes.
2. Lifestyle Factors: Stress, diet, and certain lifestyle habits can trigger or...

Weight loss is a common concern for many middle-aged women. With the natural changes that occur with aging, including hormonal shifts and a slower metabolism, losing weight can become more challenging. In this blog, we will explore how a functional medicine approach can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight through personalized strategies and addressing underlying issues.

The Challenge of Weight Loss for Middle-Aged Women

As women age, several factors can contribute to weight gain or difficulty losing weight:

• Hormonal Changes: Decreased levels of estrogen and other hormones can affect metabolism and fat distribution.
• Slower Metabolism: Metabolic rate naturally decreases with age, making it easier to gain weight.
• Muscle Loss: Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) can reduce the body's ability to burn calories.
• Lifestyle Factors: Stress, lack of sleep, and sedentary lifestyles can contribute to weight gain.

Functional Medicine Approach to Weight Loss

Functional medicine...

Data based on the National Health Interview Survey of the National Center for Health Statistics show that the common cold annually causes 35.6 acute illnesses per 100 people. Many viral infections we fight off everyday without evening knowing it! Very few viral infections cause a significant number of deaths, most commonly in people who have underlying health conditions or are immune-compromised.

There are a few steps you can take to ward off viruses starting today!

1. Manage your stress – Get 20-30 minutes of daily exercise.  Keep a gratitude journal.  Practice abdominal breathing.
2. Increase Your Vitamins – D3/K2, Zinc, Vitamin C, Probiotics and Elderberry should be taken prophylactically to help boost your immune system.
3. Improve Diet & Reduce Sugar – Eating clean by decreasing sugar, alcohol, gluten and dairy may be one of the easiest things to increase immunity.
4. Get a Chiropractic Adjustment – Your nervous system modulates...

Do you ever feel tired, run-down, or experience low energy and you’re not sure why?? Have you considered what you eat and drink on a daily basis? Because we are so busy, we don’t take the time to think about what goes into our bodies. I am guilty of all of the above. Since I work in the medical profession, I know what I should be doing to take care of my body, but as Salt N Pepa would say, “Girl’s what’s my weakness!! FOOD!” If you ask Dr. Jordan or Dr. Jade they will tell you that there might be some things I can change in my diet. My biggest weakness is drinking pop. I try to not drink it every day, but you can’t have pizza and water!! (I like to tell myself that so I don’t feel guilty.) However, if I’m going to start feeling better, I need to make some changes. Dr. Jade hosted a seminar called: To Detox or Not to Detox, so I decided to stay and learn a few new things, and boy did I ever. After the seminar, I decided...

Most of us know that incorporating nuts into our diet is important.  If you are like me you don’t necessarily know which nut is going to help with what, so you just eat a mixture and hope for the best.  After a lot of reading I’ve found that most researchers are putting walnuts on top!

Walnuts are part of the tree nut family which also includes hazelnuts, macadamia nuts (my favorite!), cashews, pine nuts, pistachios and Brazil nuts.  If you find you are having trouble getting your plant based omega-3 fats, grab a quarter cup of walnuts!  In that serving alone you will get 100 percent of the daily recommended amount.

Here are a few of the MANY benefits of walnuts for you to snack on:

1. Heart Health : Walnuts contain l-arginine (an amino acid) and omega-3’s which both offer numerous vascular benefits.  Due to anti-inflammatory properties, walnuts can actually reduce the formation of blood clots.  Walnuts will raise ALA...

Inflammation is a word that is used often, yet hard to define.  Most of us have a hard time separating inflammation from an ankle sprain vs. inflammation contributing to heart disease and arthritis.  In order to understand how to fight it, it’s important to understand how and why it occurs!

Inflammation is a very common and innate response to an injury, pain or stress.  It is part of our bodies natural defense system to prevent something worse and/or speed up healing time.

Acute inflammation is the first response to an injury or pathogen.  It’s acute because it should only last several days or less.

Examples of what can cause this:

• Illness (virus, bacteria)
• Trauma (punch, kick, sprain)
• Burn
• Frostbite
• Allergic Reaction

There are a lot of players involved in the inflammatory process, but the basics are: heat, redness, swelling, and pain.  Thus leading to loss of function.  Acute inflammation is an important part of healing.  Follow...